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NPLW WA 2025 Round 13 Wrap

by Ben Gilby (29/6/25)

Above: Jess Flannery (pink shirt), who scored twice and provided an assist for Perth SC, bursts between the Perth RedStar defence yesterday. Photo: Rob Lizzi.

Midweek Catch-up games

Wednesday night saw two games postponed from Round Five take place. First, Fremantle City continued their good recent form with a 3-0 win over Murdoch University Melville. Abbey Green’s rich vein of scoring this month continued when she put Freo ahead after 70 minutes. Sophie Meaden doubled their lead with seven minutes remaining before Mikayla Lyons completed the scoring in stoppage time.

Balcatta Etna extended their NPLW WA winning run to six after dispatching Subiaco 5-1 at Home Group Stadium. Abbey Meakins put the home side ahead with 19 minutes played. Less than two minutes into the second half, Jamie-Lee Gale made it 2-0. So-yi Kim gave Subi real hope just after the hour mark when she tapped home from close range to reduce the deficit. However, Balcatta’s response was rapid, hitting three goals in a nine-minute spell. Ella Marwick restored the two-goal buffer before Meakins dispatched a penalty, and Gale put the icing on the cake with a superb solo run with 12 minutes remaining.

Round 13 action

Football West Academy 12-2 UWA-Nedlands

**Above:** Football West Academy’s Xuri Dalton, who scored four goals in her side’s big win over UWA-Nedlands. **Photo:** Football West.

The Football West Academy produced a dominant performance to comfortably see off UWA-Nedlands in the round’s first game on Wednesday night.

They hit the front after four minutes when a low cross from the right found Sam Brady, who turned the ball in from close range.

However, the lead lasted for less than a minute as Chloe Rodrigo levelled, but the teenage side regained their lead on 10 minutes as Theodora Mouithys’ low shot from the edge of the box rolled into the net.

There then followed a game-breaking spell of five goals in just nine minutes, with Xuri Dalton claiming a hat-trick in the spell.

First, Dalton was released by a superb passing move that carved the UWA-Nedlands midfield and defence wide open before she rounded another defender and slid the ball home. She then side-footed home from the centre of the box when another sweeping move played her in with a low cross from the right from Cate McAuliffe.

McAuliffe made it 5-1 when she was in the right place at the right time to turn the ball home after an initial shot from the right was parried by UWA-Nedlands keeper Madison Large. She was at it again on the half-hour mark when found in acres of space from the left to sweep the ball into the net.

**Above:** Cate McAuliffe, who hit a hat-trick for Football West Academy in their win on Wednesday night. **Photo:** U18s NPL.

Dalton completed her hat-trick two minutes later as Moutithys charged up the left flank and squared the ball into the box for Dalton to dispatch with aplomb in the centre of the box for 7-1 at the interval.

The Academy then hit a four-goal haul in just 14 minutes in the second half. It began just before the hour mark when Nelli Johnson got up highest to nod home a corner from the left.

Sakura Leong got in on the action after being released with a perfectly weighted pass that dissected the visitors’ defence for her to run into and slot home. Two minutes later, McAuliffe grabbed her hat-trick goal when played in after Leong’s burst along the left found her on the edge of the box to fire in a powerful shot that Large could only help into the net for 10-1.

Leong extended the lead yet further with 21 minutes remaining as she once more accelerated along the left and then cut inside, and held off a defender and the on-rushing Large to dispatch the ball in.

Dalton got her fourth of the evening on 78 in superb style when she held off two defenders on the edge of the box with her back to goal, turned and fired home a stunning shot.

Alice Muller got UWA-Nedlands’ second with three minutes remaining, but it was very little comfort for the visitors, who have now conceded 33 goals in their last three games.

Teams: FOOTBALL WEST ACADEMY: Borg, Santos, Williams-Jones, Barlow, Brady, Houlis, Dalton, Dumont, Heys, McAuliffe, Mouithys. Substitutes: McGreadie Cole, Kuzamba, Price, Leong, Johnson, Collinson.

Scorers: Brady 4′, Mouithys 10′, Dalton 23′, 25′, 32′, 78′. McAuliffe 26′, 30′, 65′. Johnson 59′, Leong 63′, 69′.

UWA-NEDLANDS: Large, Dadswell, C. Gaspar, Kinkaid, Preiato, Short, Beese, Rodrigo, Dinsdale, Riches, Reid. Substitutes: E. Gaspar, Visic, Hartley, Muller, Cain, Gibson, Dewar.

Scorers: Rodrigo 5′, Muller 87′.

Perth SC 5-3 Perth RedStar

**Above:** Sam Mathers (second left) and Jess Flannery (right), who contributed three goals and an assist between them, celebrate with Violet Longmore (far left) and Hannah Collins. **Photo:** Rob Lizzi.

Perth’s sizzling first-half performance ensured they clinched a hugely important win over defending champions Perth RedStar at Dorrien Gardens yesterday afternoon.

This encounter between two of the NPLW WA’s most successful sides in recent seasons took place around the home side’s annual Pink Day festivities to raise funds and awareness for Breast Cancer Care WA.

The action exploded into action from the very beginning as RedStar broke through, with Quyen Doan seeing a shot coming back off the post after just 10 seconds.

The defending champions were continuing on the front foot in the earliest of exchanges and, with five minutes played, took the lead. Caitlin Doeglas’ corner came in high from the left, the initial Azzurri clearing header fell for Sarah Carroll on the edge of the box to crash home a volley in some style from a central position.

However, Perth responded with some major offensive power of their own as they hit three goals in a stunning six-minute spell.

**Above:** Daisy McAllister (pink shirt facing camera) celebrates one of her two goals yesterday. **Photo:** Rob Lizzi.

Indeed, less than a minute after Carroll’s goal, they were level. Tijan McKenna saw a long-range shot come back off the post, and with visiting keeper Gabby Dal Busco beaten, the rebound fell perfectly for Jess Flannery to side-foot home.

With eight minutes played, some exceptional vision and passing from Hannah Collins saw her thread a perfectly weighted ball through the RedStar box for Daisy McAllister on the left to hit a shot across Dal Busco and into the far corner of the net.

Three minutes later, Flannery played the perfect pass to McAllister, who had made a superb run to the left of the RedStar box, unmarked, to dispatch a low shot into the goal.

It got better still for the hosts with 25 on the clock. RedStar lost possession from a throw-in inside their own half, and Hannah Collins looked up on the right to see Flannery in a large amount of space on the left. Yet another perfectly judged pass found the striker in a position that she was never going to miss from, and Flannery punished the visiting defence to roll the ball home.

**Above:** Georgia Cassidy (pink shirt) holds off Sarah Carroll yesterday. **Photo:** Rob Lizzi.

In trying to stem the Perth tide, Carla Bennett was excellent for the visitors. The midfielder played some hugely intelligent balls through to her teammates, but RedStar were never able to benefit from Bennett’s vision as the Azzurri defence swept up comfortably.

There was one further half chance before the break when Epril Nossent’s cross from the right was pushed up by Dal Busco. McAllister, coming in at the back post, saw her effort go over the top.

The second half began with RedStar upping the ante, and shortly after Jay Coleman headed narrowly wide from a Sarah Carroll free-kick, they grabbed a lifeline when Leota laid the ball back to Bennett, who spotted Doeglas on her own, and fired across an excellent pass for the attacker to slot home.

Just after the hour mark, the visitors momentarily thought they had reduced the deficit further when Carroll played Doeglas through to sweep the ball into the net, but the assistant referee’s flag went up to rule it out for offside.

**Above:** Sam Mathers (pink shirt, left) taps home Perth SC’s fifth goal yesterday. **Photo:** Rob Lizzi.

Buoyed by this decision, the Azzurri pushed forward again. McAllister was fouled on the edge of the box to the left of centre. Up stepped Kim McCartney to lift the free-kick in, Dal Busco spilled the ball at the feet of Mathers to tap home from close range and restore Perth’s three-goal advantage.

The remaining 20 minutes or so of the game were largely broken up with a succession of yellow cards, but the visitors did force two further opportunities.

First, Leota fed Doeglas, who saw a shot come crashing back off the bar, and then in stoppage time, Ridley was denied first by an excellent stop by Dayle Schroeder, and from the rebound Ridley saw an effort cleared off the line by Georgia Cassidy before referee David Avison pointed to the spot for a foul on Laura Continibali. Carroll dispatched the penalty.

This was an extremely impressive performance and victory by the Azzurri against the side that were top of the ladder going into the game. Perth SC now travel to the Sam Kerr Football Centre next weekend to face the Football West Academy in an intriguing first against second clash.

For more information about Breast Cancer WA, or to donate, visit https://www.breastcancer.org.au/

Teams: PERTH SC: Schroeder, Nossent, McCartney, McKenna, Longmore, McAllister, Cassidy, Collins, Lincoln, Flannery, Mathers. Substitutes: Ottobrino, Ingrey, Insch, Tana, Archibald, Rennie.

Scorers: Flannery 6’, 25’. McAllister 8’, 11’. Mathers 67’.

PERTH REDSTAR: Dal Busco, Woolley, Dunn, Monteiro, Doan, Bennett, Coleman, Carroll, Leota, Doeglas, Ridley. Substitutes: Bellanca, Continibali, Lornie, Mogridge, Finnegan, Devitt.

Scorer: Carroll 5’, (pen) 90+3. Doeglas 57’.

Referee: David Avison.

Balcatta Etna 2-1 Subiaco

Balcatta won their seventh league game in a row, but they were pushed by a hard-working Subiaco side at Home Group Stadium this afternoon.

The hosts hit the front with 18 minutes on the clock thanks to an Olimpico from the left-hand side by Abbey Meakins – her eighth goal this month alone.

Balcatta doubled their lead in the 68th minute with a move that began with goalkeeper Rebecca Bennett’s clearance from a Subi corner. Jamie-Lee Gale combined with Meakins before Frankie Murray’s cross from the left was met with a sliding volley at the near post by Gale, who collided with keeper Monique Todd as she did so. After a short consultation between referee and assistant, the goal was awarded.

Subi pushed to get back into the game, and after Greta Bailey’s burst through was ended by the Balcatta defence, Izzy Folletta was shown a second yellow card for what appeared to be dissent.

The visitors got a goal back three minutes before the end when Marianna Tabain released Tayna Campos, who swept home a first-time low shot.

Balcatta will now go into next Sunday’s trip to Perth RedStar with real confidence. In a rich vein of form, they will be determined to put right the 5-0 scoreline from their previous encounter with the defending champions this season.

Teams: BALCATTA ETNA: Bennett, van Heurck, Folletta, Davis, Jarvis, Murray, Marwick, Meakins, Spadano, Gale, Duncanson. Substitutes: Cook, Hargreaves, Comito, M. D’Opera, Phillips, Britton.

Scorers: Meakins 18′, Gale 69′.

SUBIACO: Todd, Steele, Burdett, Bailey, Hope, Papalia, McCulloch, Campos, Zampogna, Kim, Tabain. Substitutes: Hughes, Rudd, Robinson, Jahn, Tyne.

Scorers: Campos 87′.

Fremantle City 5-0 Murdoch University Melville

Fremantle City extended their winning run to three league and cup games after this success over Murdoch University Melville (MUM FC) at Hilton Park today.

Freo took the lead eight minutes before the break in some style as an eight-pass move that swept from defence to offence ended with Sophie Meaden finding Abbey Green in the box for the former Perth Glory player to find the net from close range.

The same pair were at it again just before the hour mark as Green darted between two players to advance deep into the MUM FC half and find Meaden, whose shot was repelled by Jemma Skinner, and Green was on the rebound to turn it in for her and Freo’s second.

The home side wrapped up the points with a spell of three goals in seven minutes either side of the 80-minute mark. Meaden made it 3-0 when she was played through by an incisive pass from Janice Kiama to run in unopposed and dispatch the ball into the net.

Nine minutes from the end, Green found Leyna Wood, who threaded a sensational long low pass which completely took the visiting defence out of the equation, allowing Meaden to hit her second.

Green completed her hat-trick shortly afterwards as Meaden threaded a pass through to her to run onto and beat Skinner in the one-on-one to turn the ball home.

Teams: FREMANTLE CITY: Phillips, Leek, Siah, Osborne, Spencer, Kiama, Meaden, Reynolds, Green, Yeo, Lyons. Substitutes: Adams, Wood.

Scorers: Green 37′, 57′, 84′. Meaden 77′, 81′.

MURDOCH UNIVERSITY MELVILLE: Skinner, Ellis, Ascenzo-Cabello, Denona, Symons, Jorquera, Saraceni, Patience, Glanfield, Baiamonte, Baldin. Substitutes: Malata, Mohan, Hotchin, Cleminson, Bui.

Ladder

Football West Academy P 13 Pts 30 GD + 27

Perth SC P 12 Pts 29 GD + 27

Perth RedStar P 13 Pts 28 GD +34

Balcatta Etna P 12 Pts 28 GD + 22

Fremantle City P 13 Pts 18 GD + 14

Subiaco P 13 Pts 10 GD – 15

UWA-Nedlands P 13 Pts 6 GD -50

Murdoch University Melville P 13 Pts 0 GD -59

Fixtures

SUNDAY: Football West Academy v Perth SC, Murdoch University Melville v UWA-Nedlands, Perth RedStar v Balcatta Etna, Subiaco v Fremantle City.

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A Potted History of the UEFA Women’s Euros

By Clare McEwen (28/06/2025)

Above: Sweden’s win in 1984. Photo: UEFA website.

Euro 2025 is nearly here, but do you know the history?

UEFA organised their first Women’s Euros in 1984 (the men’s began in 1960). Before that, other tournaments paved the way. Let’s start in 1957.

Women’s football was growing as European countries began playing more international friendlies. In 1956, 18,000 people came out to watch Germany’s first international against the Netherlands – despite the women’s game still being officially banned throughout much of Europe, including both Germany and the Netherlands, England and France.

Players fought the ban with increasing strength. In the summer of 1957, Germany, Austria, Netherlands, and England formed the International Ladies Football Association in Nuremberg, Germany. They quickly organised their own European tournament with the four founding members.

Berlin hosted the event at the Poststadion, a prestigious venue. Naturally there was plenty of opposition, but also some good support. Often at that time, “national” teams were represented by club sides. England, for example, were represented by the Manchester Corinthians. The Corinthians were at the end of a tour of Germany, which they ended by winning the 1957 trophy. Unfortunately, some financial irregularities spoiled the event and it was over a decade before a similar tournament was organised.

For a period in the late 1960s/early 1970s, women’s football was organised by some Italian businessmen — who had spotted the potential of the sport. In 1969, the newly formed Federazione Italiana Calcio Femminile (FICF) organsied another European competition. The Coppa Europa per Nazioni — now considered a precursor to the UEFA Euros — included Italy, France, Denmark, and England. It was sponsored by the drinks giant Martini & Rossi who bankrolled the event. FIFA tried to stop it going ahead but were unsuccessful.

Although the ban in England was being lifted, England didn’t yet have an official FA team. So, the legendary Harry Batt took a team to represent his country. England were drawn against Denmark (represented by club side Femina BK). Despite a hat trick from Sue Lopez, Denmark won and progressed to the final. Italy beat France but Denmark took the title. England took third, beating France in front of 10,000 spectators. The event was a huge success on and off the pitch.

The Italians organised two World Cup events too (one being the Mexico 1971 World Cup), but in 1971 UEFA couldn’t ignore the growth of women’s football any longer. They decided to take control, making it “official”. They set up a committee for women’s football and then stalled the development of a Women’s Euros tournament for over a decade.

In 1984, UEFA finally caved to pressure and put its name to the Women’s Euros for the first time. Sixteen teams played in the qualifiers with only four making it to the tournament proper: Sweden, Italy, Denmark, and England. Games were 70-minutes long, used a size four ball, and consisted of home and away legs for both semi-finals and the final. England drew the favourites, Denmark, but beat them to reach the final against Sweden.

The first leg in Sweden was covered by the media and brought in a decent crowd. Sweden edged it 1-0. The return leg in England was played at Kenilworth Road, Luton on a pitch described by their captain, Carol Thomas, as “the battle of Kenilworth bog”. The only media at the match was a very small TV company that disappeared soon after. England squeaked a 1-0 win, making it 1-1 on aggregate. Because the pitch was so bad, the tie went straight to penalties. Sweden edged it 4-3, with current Switzerland head coach Pia Sundhage scoring the winner.

The format remained the same for the 1987 Euros where the four qualifiers were Norway, Sweden, Italy, and England. Norway won their first trophy, beating Sweden in the final; Italy beat England to third place. In a strange contrast, over 8000 people watched the final but only 500 watched the third-place play-off.

At this point, the Women’s Euros was the only major event so enjoyed a two-year cycle. The next edition was 1989 but still only included four teams. However, there was a host country for the first time: West Germany. Norway, Sweden, and Italy joined them and it soon became clear they didn’t need home advantage. West Germany won the first of Germany’s eight Women’s Euros titles by beating the holders, Norway, 4-1 in front of 22,000 people.

The four-team tournament continued into the 1990s. Denmark hosted in 1991 and once again, Germany beat Norway in the final, winning their second title. But the Germans didn’t fare so well in 1993 when they came fourth behind winners Norway (their second title), Italy, and Denmark.

It had been eight years since England last qualified for the Euros but they were back in 1995 joined by Germany, Norway, and Sweden. The qualifying rounds before the main event had expanded to 29 teams, meaning there were now eight qualifying groups; but still only four countries competed for the trophy. England drew Germany in the semi-finals and were soundly beaten over two legs. Germany and Sweden contested the final (played in Germany) and Germany lifted their third trophy in front of 8,500 people.

In 1997, the Women’s Euros format changed to resemble what we recognise now. Norway and Sweden hosted the tournament over two weeks in the summer. The competition expanded to eight final teams in two groups of four. Sweden, Spain (their first appearance), Italy and Germany reached the knockout stages. And yes, Germany won number four, beating Italy in the final.

The next advancement was settling into a four-yearly schedule (the FIFA Women’s World Cup began in 1991 making scheduling harder). In 2001, eight teams competed in the main tournament in Germany. Unsurprisingly, Germany won again, making it their fifth. England only managed a point from a draw with Russia.

**Above:** Germany celebrate in 2005. **Photo:** UEFA website.

In 2005, England hosted the Euros and had high hopes for the tournament. It was the first time they’d hosted a major women’s competition and was part of The FA’s strategy to (finally) grow the game. It attracted record crowds. Despite a heart-stopping win against Finland in their opener, England finished bottom of their group. Finland, along with Germany, Sweden, and Norway progressed. The final was again Germany versus Norway; and again Germany finished as champions (their fourth in a row, sixth in total).

Disappointment at home for the Lionesses turned into progress in 2009. Hosted by Finland, the event saw 12 teams take part for the first time. Finland, Netherlands, Germany, France, Norway, Sweden, Italy, and England progressed to the quarter-finals. Germany and Norway continued their rivalry, this time meeting in the semi-final. England needed an extra time winner from Jill Scott to overcome Netherlands in their semi-final, lining up a tasty final against Germany. Disappointingly, England couldn’t keep up with the perennial winners and lost 6-2.

Sweden hosted in 2013, and the familiar pattern continued with Germany beating Norway in the final; their eighth title. However, this is where Germany’s run came to an end. In 2017, Netherlands hosted their first Euros. Sixteen teams took part for the first time. Netherlands, Denmark, Germany, Sweden, Austria, France, England and Spain reached the knockout stages with some familiar names beginning to appear on teamsheets.

**Above:** The Netherlands celebrate in 2017. **Photo:** UEFA website.

In the semi-finals, Netherlands played England and Denmark played Austria. You read that right: Germany had been knocked in the quarters (by Denmark). Things were changing in European football. A Sarina Wiegman-led Netherlands made short work of England in a 3-0 win. Meanwhile Denmark needed penalties to beat newcomers Austria. Finishing the fairytale, Netherlands beat Denmark to win their first Euros trophy at their home event. The English Lionesses’ Jodie Taylor was top-scorer (one ahead of Vivianne Miedema).

And the rest, as they say, is history. Wiegman moved to England, repeated the whole thing in 2022 and will now be hoping she can continue her unbeaten Euros streak this summer.

**Above:** England celebrate in 2022. **Photo:** Sky News website.

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“It’s about doing the small things right” : Joe Montemurro and Amy Sayer Look Ahead to the Next Match

By Isabelle Campbell 28/06/2025

Above: Amy Sayer for Australia. Photo: Rob Lizzi for Impetus

Following their 3-0 win over Slovenia on Thursday night, the Matildas and head coach Joe Montemurro have set their sights on the second game in the series and on continuing to build a cohesive identity under the newly appointed boss.

The match, Montemurro’s first in charge, offered both a positive result and a glimpse into the style he wants to establish with the squad.

“As a whole, right after the game, it gave me a really good feeling and sensation, playing against a team that did what they did, allowed us to sort of really see the realities of the way we want to play and what we need to do to fix that.”

“We learned, it was a perfect game to learn and a perfect game to grow. It painted a lot of really good pictures for us. We can build on that.”

Despite the convincing scoreline, Montemurro was quick to point out the need for consistency and bravery on the ball, whilst also highlighting the various fitness levels within the squad in this window.

“We just now need to be more consistent and more, I suppose, brave with it. But we have to put in context the period of the season, players out of season, players who haven’t played a lot, players who are coming back from injury, and so on, so as a whole, we’re trying to find a good balance.”

As for tactical preparation and focus ahead of Sunday’s match, Montemurro stressed that the team’s focus is on internal development rather than being overly interested in playing based on the opponent at hand.

“It’s no disrespect to any opposition that we play, but you know, it’s really about us. We’ve really focussed on our principles, our base, and that we build a good foundation,”

“When you build a foundation that’s believable, you have those insurance policies so you know that even when not analysing the opposition team, if we do what we do well, we’ll get through the game.”

Midfielder Amy Sayer, who played her first full match for the national team since returning from injury, was encouraged by both the performance and Montemurro’s approach.

“Joe’s emphasised that it’s simple. It’s nothing life-changing, but it’s about doing the small things right and doing it together. It’d be quite easy to tidy up the gaps, and it’s just about getting used to his coaching style and playing together,”

“We gave away a few too many opportunities for Slovenia to have chances on goal, luckily we had Teagan [Micah] between the sticks, no wonder she was player of the match, because she really saved us.”

Sayer shared that post-match conversations between the team confirmed the sense of direction and growth within the squad.

“Looking at the game and talking to the girls, and talking to Joe right after the game, everything started to look good. I think he really established the playing style that he wants to have, and we’re trying to deliver on that.”

Sayer also had praise for teammate Holly McNamara, who scored her debut Matildas goal, one that has been long awaited by fans and players alike.

“I actually thought Holly had already scored, because she’s always in the goalmouth, and she’s so talented at getting in there and having those attacking chances,”

“You could see the relief on her face, especially with the trials and tribulations she’s been through with three ACLs. I can imagine, I mean, I know exactly how she was feeling.”

“When she was celebrating, she was just looking up and just so happy to get it in finally. She had a lot of chances in the game. I can really relate to it.”

As for herself, Sayer said the outing was a strong step in her own return journey.

“I feel great, so I hope I can put away another performance like that.”

With Montemurro’s foundation laid and the squad showing early signs of cohesion, all eyes now turn to game two, and the continued evolution of this new Matildas’ era.

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Euros Preview: France

by Jean-Pierre Thiesset (28/6/25)

Above: The France national team who will take on Switzerland. Photo: equipedefrancef.

Les Bleues, ranked second in Europe and 11th in the world go into the tournament with high hopes.

Squad

Goalkeepers: Justine Lerond (Montpellier, France), Constance Picaud, (Fleury, France), Pauline Peyraud-Magnin, (Juventus, Italy).

Defenders: Selma Bacha, (OL Lyonnes, France), Lou Bogaert (Paris FC, France), Elisa De Almeida, (Paris Saint-Germain, France), Maëlle Lakrar, (Real Madrid, Spain), Griedge MBock, (Paris Saint-Germain, France), Melween N’Dongala (Paris FC, France), Thiniba Samoura, (Paris Saint-Germain, France), Alice Sombath (OL Lyonnes).

Midfielders: Sandy Baltimore, (Chelsea, England), Grace Geyoro, (Paris Saint-Germain, France), Oriane Jean-François (Chelsea, England), Sakina Karchaoui (Paris Saint-Germain, France), Amel Majri (OL Lyonnes, France), Sandie Toletti, (Real Madrid, Spain).

Forwards: Delphine Cascarino (Wave San Diego, USA), Kadidiatou Diani (OL Lyonnes, France), Kelly Gago (Everton, England), Marie-Antoinette Katoto (Paris Saint-Germain, France), Melvine Malard (Manchester United, England), Clara Matéo (Paris FC, France).

Head Coach:

Laurent Bonadei, was named the head coach of France’s squad in August 2024. He was the assistant to Herve Renard, from March 2023. Following a 15 year playing career, he moved into coaching and led several youth level teams.

Euro History:

Since an eight-team knockout Euros tournament was introduced in 1997, France had gone out in the last eight every time before making the 2022 semis, after beating title holders the Netherlands in extra time.

How they qualified:

France qualified as Group A3 winners with a record of four wins from their six games against England, with the Republic of Ireland, and Sweden. Marie-Antoinette Katoto contributed three goals in the process.

Strengths:

A lot of players have experience in major club and international tournaments. Exciting new young players have been integrated into the squad and brought a new look to the team.

Development Areas:

Since Laurent Bonadei was named as head coach, three major experienced players, Eugénie Le Sommer, Wendie Renard, and Kenza Dali have been left out of the squad for the last two games of group qualification in the Nation’s League tournament and have subsequently been left out of the squad for the tournament in Switzerland.The coach said that he wanted to prepare the squad for the future. We will soon know if this was the correct decision or not.

Key Players:

**Above:** Delphine Cascarino (White 20). Photo: Jean-Pierre Thiesset for *Impetus*.

Delphine Cascarino, 27 years old, is at the peak of her abilities. With an exceptional ability to acceleration past defenders, she can be one of the tournament’s top players.

**Above:** Selma Bacha (white 4), **Photo:** Jean-Pierre Thiesset for *Impetus.*

Selma Bacha debuted in France’s premier league) in 2017 at the age of just 16 years old. Now, her versatility and punch in offence can be one of the main strengths of France. People who know this highly skilled player used to say that her brain thinks what to do and her left foot does it.

**Above**: Clara Matéo. **Photo**: Jean-Pierre Thiesset, Impetus.

Clara Matéo, 27 years old, was the top scorer in France’s Première League last season with 18 goals; she also contributed seven assists. Matéo can play in midfield just behind the centre forward to organize the play or as central forward herself. Her vivacity and game vision are a true plus.

One to watch:

**Above:** Melvine Malard. Photo: Jean-Pierre Thiesset for *Impetus*.

In January 2020, Malard was named by UEFA as one of the ten most promising young players in Europe. She spent three seasons at Olympique Lyonnais between 2020 and 2023 winning UEFA Women’s Champions League in 2020 and 2022.

Success would be:

Making the final. Nothing else will be considered as successful by the fans.

Prediction:

If all the planets are aligned, France may win this Euro 2025. However, in my own point of view, it will still be difficult to do better that the semi-final even if the team does play more rapidly in midfield with new young players and continue to be more efficient in front of goal.

Group Fixtures:

July 5th- England, 8pm, Zurich

July 9th- Wales, 8pm, Saint-Gallen

July 13th- Netherlands, 8pm, Basel

This is the latest part of our Euros nation previews – click on the links below to view the previous articles:

SWITZERLAND: https://impetusfootball.org/2025/06/16/euros-preview-switzerland-2/

NORWAY: https://impetusfootball.org/2025/06/17/euros-preview-norway/

FINLAND: https://impetusfootball.org/2025/06/18/euros-preview-finland-2/

ICELAND: https://impetusfootball.org/2025/06/19/euros-preview-iceland-2/

SPAIN: https://impetusfootball.org/2025/06/20/euros-preview-spain-2/

PORTUGAL: https://impetusfootball.org/2025/06/21/euros-preview-portugal/

BELGIUM: https://impetusfootball.org/2025/06/22/euros-preview-belgium-2/

ITALY: https://impetusfootball.org/2025/06/23/euros-preview-italy/

SWEDEN: https://impetusfootball.org/2025/06/24/euros-preview-sweden-2/

POLAND: https://impetusfootball.org/2025/06/25/euros-preview-poland/

DENMARK: https://impetusfootball.org/2025/06/26/euros-preview-denmark/

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Euros Preview: Germany

Above: Germany taking on Australia in Alex Popp’s last game before retirement. Photo: DFB/Yuliia Perekopaiko.

By Boh Blythin (27/6/25).

Germany are heading into the 2025 Euros ready to compete for their place at the summit of European football, led by captain Giulia Gwinn. They prepare to clash with rivals Sweden and Denmark in a thrilling Group C, showcasing an eager youthful team led by coach Christian Wück. A bronze medal in the Olympics last year gave fans a glimpse of where the side could reach this summer, but they will have to put up a fight to get there.

Squad List:

GOALKEEPERS: Ann-Katrin Berger (Gotham FC), Stina Johannes (Eintracht Frankfurt), Ena Mahmutovic (Bayern Munich).

DEFENDERS: Giulia Gwinn (Bayern Munich), Kathrin Hendrich (Chicago Stars), Franziska Kett (Bayern Munich), Sophia Kleinherne (Eintracht Frankfurt), Rebecca Knaak (Manchester City), Sarai Linder (Wolfsburg), Janina Minge (Wolfsburg), Carlotta Wamser (Bayer Leverkusen).

MIDFIELDERS: Sara Dabritz (Lyon), Linda Dallmann (Bayern Munich), Sydney Lohmann (Bayern Munich), Sjoeke Nusken (Chelsea), Elisa Senss (Eintracht Frankfurt).

FORWARDS: Jule Brand (Wolfsburg), Klara Buhl (Bayern Munich), Selina Cerci (Hoffenheim), Laura Freigang (Eintracht Frankfurt), Giovanna Hoffmann (RB Leipzig), Lea Schuller (Bayern Munich), Cora Zicai (Wolfsburg).